. >> reporter: that prompted mitch mcconnell to call for a lifeline. >> i also placed a call to the vice president to see if he could help jump-start the negotiations on his side. i want everyone to know i'm willing to get this done. but i need a dance partner. >> reporter: and with that, vice president biden has now emerged as a key player, playing a direct role in the effort to strike a last-minute deal. the key sticking points remain the same. the white house wants taxes to go up on those making over $250,000 a year. republicans want a higher income threshold. they want to keep the estate tax from going up. there's still no agreement on what to do about those automatic spending cuts set to go into effect on january 2nd. both sides have said the cost of failure is extremely high. >> if we're not able to reach an agreement, it will be dire. probably at least another million jobs lost, an unemployment rate over 9% and putting us back into recession. >> reporter: vice president biden and mitch mcconnell had several conversations deep into the night. and will continue those conversations t